Put Israel's Defense Before Arafat's Wishes

February 6, 1998

The headline in your ``World'' section Jan. 24 reads ``Arafat ridicules Israeli proposals.'' One would think that Arafat and his fellow Arabs had won the various wars they instituted against the Israelis.

Can you imagine the Nazis or the Japanese ridiculing allied proposals as ``peanuts'' after World War II? They would have been whisked away immediately to the nearest mental institution.

Yet, President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright seem bent on peace at any price. The defining factor here is not how much land for the Palestinians, but the ability of the Israelis to defend themselves. Should there be still another war, no one will come to the aid of the Israelis, so if Arafat's wishes are in conflict with Israel's security requirements, it may be unfortunate, but it is he who must suffer.